Texas democrat Colin Allred under fire for using anti-trans language in ad targeting Ted Cruz

Texas Democratic congressman Colin Allred, who is running against Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, has come under scrutiny for adopting conservative rhetoric on transgender issues in a recent campaign ad. In the ad, Allred says, “I don’t want boys playing girls’ sports or any of this ridiculous stuff that Ted Cruz is saying,” in an attempt to counteract Cruz’s attack ads. This language, however, has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which endorsed Allred earlier this year.

LGBTQ+ activists expressed disappointment with Allred’s remarks. Erin Reed, a transgender journalist, criticized the ad on social media platform X, calling it a “shortsighted” and “stinging betrayal” for potential LGBTQ+ constituents. Ari Drennen, the LGBTQ program director at Media Matters for America, sarcastically noted, “So glad that this is what he’s lighting all that money on fire for,” highlighting the concern that Democrats could shift their stance on transgender rights under pressure.

A spokesperson from the HRC, Brandon Wolf, expressed concern about Allred’s ad and called for clarification, stating, “Congressman Allred needs to explain his comments. They simply don’t square with what we know about his record.” Wolf also mentioned the need for leadership that values equality, urging Texans to move beyond Cruz’s rhetoric.

Polling shows Cruz currently leading Allred by a slim margin, with 51% support compared to Allred’s 46%, according to a recent survey by Marist College. Despite the controversy, Allred has historically supported LGBTQ+ rights, including backing the Equality Act, which aims to protect individuals from discrimination based on gender identity.